SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Fields Reliance Executive Dhanraj Nathwani For Rajya Sabha From UP, Keeps 3rd Candidate Plan Under Wraps

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: In a surprise move for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has selected Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, a prominent executive from Reliance Industries, as their candidate from the state. The announcement was made on Wednesday at around 11 am when both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav, the SP general secretary, filed their nominations at the Election Commission office.

After filing, Akhilesh personally greeted Nathwani, accompanied him to his designated seat, and congratulated him on his nomination.

Born in Mumbai, Dhanraj Nathwani is the group president at Reliance Industries Ltd, with a significant involvement in the company's Jamnagar and Vadodara manufacturing units. He also serves as a director at Reliance New Energy Ltd. Nathwani's educational background includes an MBA in Corporate Law and Public Relations from the National Institute of Management, alongside a degree in International Business from Regent's Business School in London.

Prior to joining Reliance, he held various positions in sports administration, including being the president of the Gujarat Cricket Association since 2022.

The Samajwadi Party is fielding a total of 10 candidates in Uttar Pradesh's Rajya Sabha elections. With the current strength of the state assembly, the BJP-led NDA is expected to secure eight seats, leaving the SP with a slim chance of winning two seats. The party is planning to unveil a third candidate soon, which could lead to a contest for the additional seat. Winning the third seat would require Akhilesh Yadav to secure support from other parties, making cross-voting a crucial aspect of the election strategy.

On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav called his MLAs to Lucknow to discuss the party's Rajya Sabha strategy. One of the candidates who approached the party office was former Badaun MP Salim Iqbal Sherwani, who met Akhilesh to express his interest in securing a Rajya Sabha nomination. Sherwani stated that the party's wish is for him to be nominated and succeed in his bid. While the identity of the third candidate remains undisclosed, the SP is actively working on its strategy to secure the additional vote needed to win another seat.